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| Area |
36-sq-kms |
| Population |
8,1763 (1991 Census) |
| Altitude |
2,623 metres |
| Clothing |
Light woollen in
summer and heavy woollen during
winter |
| Languages Spoken |
Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and English |
| Location |
Niligiri District, Tamil
Nadu |
| Temperature Range
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Summer-
Max 25ºC, Min 10ºC, Winter-
Max 21ºC, Min 5ºC
Rainfall
: 121 cms |
| Discovered By |
British In 1800 |
| Highest Peak: |
Doddabetta |
| Famous Festivals |
Summer Festival And
The Tea And Tourism Festival |
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| FESTIVAL
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Summer
Festival
The Tea And Tourism Festival |
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Udhagamandalam (Ooty),
the capital of Nilgiri district, is popularly known
as the "Queen of hill stations' among the tourist
circuits. It is situated at a distance of 105 km away
from Coimbatore. The height of the hills in the Nilgiri
range varies between 2280 and 2290 metres, the highest
peak being Doddabetta at a height of 2623 metres.
History Of This Beautiful Hill
Resort
It is believed that the name Nila, has been in use for
over 800 years since, the King of the Hoysalas Vishnu
Vardhana, who ruled from 1104 to 1141 AD seized the
Nilgiris Plateau. His general Ponisia recorded this
fact in 1117 AD with mention of Todas. The name Nilgiri
was due to the blue haze, which envelops the range with
most distant hills of considerable size.
This Nilgiri territory came into possession of the
East India Company as part of the ceded lands, held
by Tipu Sultan, by the treaty of Srirangapatnam in 1799.
Rev. Jacome Forico, a priest was the first European
who visited Nilgiris in 1603 and released his notes
about the place and people of Nilgiris. In 1812 surveyor
William Keys and Macmohan visited the top of the plateau.
In 1818, Wishand Kindersley, Assistant and Second Assistant
to Collector of Coimbatore visited this spot and submitted
their experience report to the Collector of Coimbatore
Mr. John Sullivan. Settlement in Udhagamandalam began
in 1822 with the construction of the Stone House by
John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. The
bungalow, which is locally called "Kal Bangla",
is one of the landmarks of Udhagamandalam and is now
the Chamber of the Principal of the Government Arts
College.
The Tea
The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty
famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands
and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers
on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival
attracts crowds in huge numbers. Visit Ooty during this
festival, when tea lovers from all over the world converge.
An occasion not to be missed!
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| PRIME ATTRACTIONS |
Botanical Gardens: Botanical
gardens are a major tourist attraction for those who
visit Ooty, one of the most popular hill stations of
India. They sprawl over 50-acre and lie on the lower
slopes of Doddabetta peak, which is the highest point
in Ooty. Marquis of Tweeddale established these gardens
in the year 1848.
The gardens are formally laid out with lily ponds,
and there are clipped bushes in the form of elephants,
with raised trunks. One can find a thousand different
species of plants including some thirty types of eucalyptus
in these gardens. There is also a fossilised tree trunk,
which is said to be 20 million years old. Towards the
eastern part of the garden there is a wooden house made
of logs known as "Toda Mund", which provides
an excellent view.
Rose Garden
Rose Garden is situated about 3 to 4-km away from Charring
Cross. They are spread over an area of 10 acres of land
with 2000 variety of roses. Rose Gardens lie on the
way to the boathouse.
Mini Garden
Mini garden is also situated on the way to the boathouse
where the children amusement park is housed. A snack
bar is also available. Tamil Nadu Tourism Development
Corporation Limited maintains these gardens.
Ooty Lake
About 1-km distance there is an artificial lake with
a charming look, which was formed in 1824 by Mr. John
Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore.
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St
Stephens Church
Situated in the hilly area on Club Road, St Stephens
Church is said to be the oldest in the Nilgiris. The
church was built in 1829 and consecrated in 1830. The
beam of the church was taken from the palace of Tipu
Sultan at Srirangapatnam. The cemetery close by houses
the grave of John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty.
Doddabetta
Doddabetta is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the
Nilgiris, which is about 10-km from Ooty. It is a beautiful
place lying between the junction of the Western and
Eastern Ghats and offers a beautiful view of the Nilgiri
hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense Sholas.
Deer Park
At a distance of 1-km from the Lake there is a Deer
Park, which is worth visiting.
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Government
Museum
The government museum, Mysore Road, Ooty has items of
tribal objects, district's ecological details and representative
sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu. It was set
up in 1989, with a view to provide education benefits
to the residing and visiting population of Nilgiris
district.
Hindustan Photo Films
The Hindustan Photo Films, one of the major industrial
units of the district, is located about 5-km away from
Ooty railway station over a sprawling area of over 300
acres, near the Ooty golf-links on the Ooty- Mysore
road.
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| EXCURSIONS |
The
Mukkurthi Peak And National Park
About 40-km from Ooty, is a beautiful peak called "Mukkurthi".
The Mukkurthi National Park is located on the Southern
corner of the Nilgiri Plateau. The Kollaribetta and
Nilgiris Peak are other major peaks around. A number
of little perennial streams flow between these peaks,
which fall into Bhavani Puzha. Silent Vally is located
on the Western side in the Western Ghat, which is a
feast to the visitor's eye.
Mudumalai Wildlife
Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located where the Nilgiri Hills, the
offshoot of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats.
The Mudumalai Wildlife sanctuary has varied mixture
of flat land, open grassland, swamp, valley and nullas.
Pykara
Pykara is situated about 21-km from Ooty. Some of the
tourist attractions of this place are well-protected
fenced sholas, Toda settlements, undisturbed grassy
meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara
Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists.
A boathouse with restaurant and a rest house are available
at Pykara.
Best Time To Visit
The climate of Ooty is pleasant throughout the year.
The best time to visit is between February to May and
September to November. |
| HOW TO GET THERE
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Air:
Coimbatore, 105 km from Ooty, is the nearest airport.
Rail:
Ooty is on the narrow gauge railway, connected to Mettupalayam
(47 km), which is directly connected to Coimbatore and
Chennai. The famous toy train connects Ooty with Mettupalayam
and Coonoor.
Road:
A good network of roads and national highways connect
Ooty with all major towns and cities. There are regular
bus services to and from Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore,
Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut, Tirupati
and other important destinations in South India. Ooty
is also well connected with major cities of Kerala and
Karnataka.
Local Transport:
Taxis, tourist cabs, auto rickshaws are available in
plenty. There are no standard rates except tourist cabs.
Town buses are also available to all important places.
Conducted sight seeing tours are arranged by the private
operators and the Government Tourism Development Corporation.
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| WHERE TO STAY |
Accommodation
is available at the luxurious and economy class hotels,
lodges, and resorts in Ooty. Both Indian and Western style
accommodation and food are available. Prior booking is
advisable, especially during the summer months.
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| ENTERTAINMENT IN
OOTY |
Trekking
The Nilgiris are a trekker's paradise. Landscaped by nature,
the hills abound in trek for lovers of nature. There are
treks and treks in whichever direction you turn and from
whichever point you start. A trek can be full of thrill,
excitement and adventure and a way of seeing and enjoying
nature in all its beauty and splendour.
Udhagamandalam (Ooty) offers several trek routes, which
vary in distance, altitudes and terrain. There is a
base camp at Parsons valley, from where one can start
trekking to various points within Western Ghats. The
down hills of Western Ghats on the North ends up with
meeting the extensions of Eastern Ghats, where the sprawling
Mudumalai Sanctuary lies which opens vistas for adventure
tourists.
Trekking pamphlets are available with the Nilgiri Wildlife
and Environment Association (NWLEA). There are guides
who have sound knowledge of certain areas. If necessary,
their services may be hired. And for further details
contact the Tourist Information Office at Charring Cross,
Ooty.
Hang-Gliding
Hang-glidng courses are also organised during March
to May every year, with the assistance of the Department
of Tourism. Contact the Tourist Officer, Ooty for assistance.
Angling
Goad Trout, Carp and mixed water fishing is possible
in various streams and lakes of Ooty. The Assistance
Director of Fisheries issues the fishing licence.
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| FESTIVALS |
Summer
Festivals
A summer festival is held each year during the month
of May in the Botanical Gardens, which is an added attraction
for tourists. The Flower Show is the pride of the festival.
Cultural programmes are organised for those interested
in traditional classical arts. Adventure spots like
trekking also form part of the festival.
Tea And Tourism Festival
The annual "Tea and Tourism Festival" celebrated
in the month of January is a draw for tourists.
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